School Counselor Pay

Morristown vs Nashville: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Morristown, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Morristown, TN
$48,765
$23.44/hr
Nashville, TN
$60,555
$29.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMorristown, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$48,765$60,555
Hourly Rate$23.44$29.11
Entry Level (P10)$34,913$46,325
25th Percentile$41,574$51,444
75th Percentile$62,445$76,207
Top Earner (P90)$69,116$87,687
Total Employed1201,940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Morristown ($48,765) and Nashville ($60,555) school counselor salaries.MorristownNashvilleMedian Salary$48,765$60,555Entry Level (P10)$34,913$46,325Top Earner (P90)$69,116$87,687US Median $64,335

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Morristown.

The salary gap between Morristown and Nashville is $11,790 (24.18%). Nashville's median is -5.88% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Morristown spans $34,203,Nashville spans $41,362. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Morristown
P10 (Entry)$34,913
P25$41,574
Median$48,765
P75$62,445
P90 (Top)$69,116
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$46,325
P25$51,444
Median$60,555
P75$76,207
P90 (Top)$87,687

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($62,857 effective) pays 11.32% more than Morristown ($56,464 effective).

Morristown
Nominal: $48,765
CoL Index: 86.364
Adjusted: $56,464
Nashville
Nominal: $60,555
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $62,857

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Morristown if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,555/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($87,687)
  • Larger job market (1,940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,857)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Morristown grew 9.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Morristown, TN

+9.7%

$43,550 (2019) → $47,785 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+19.4%

$49,680 (2019) → $59,339 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Morristown or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median school counselor salary at $60,555/year, compared to Morristown at $48,765/year — a difference of $11,790 (24.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Morristown and Nashville?

Morristown school counselors earn $23.44/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $29.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Morristown to Nashville as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Morristown and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Morristown = $56,464, Nashville = $62,857), job availability (120 vs 1,940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Morristown vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $34,913 in Morristown and $46,325 in Nashville. The Nashville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.

Content Lead

Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov